Prometheus was Ridley Scott’s triumphant return to Sci-Fi. Then the backlash happened pure hatred for such a loved franchise. For me I loved Prometheus, probably the most thematically layered Sci-Fi I have watched since Blade Runner. Don’t get me wrong it had some very stupid decisions and dialogue. Regardless I have probably watched it more than any other of the films, it’s a good popcorn movie. So what is Alien: Covenant about? Whilst sailing through space on a mission to a remote planet on the other side of the galaxy, the crew of the Covenant spaceship stumble upon a beautiful and seemingly undiscovered world.But the picturesque mountain range and lush green landscape is hiding an ugly threat. The team begin to unravel the mysterious secrets surrounding the planet and the bloodthirsty creatures that inhabit it.As the grotesque monsters close in, the Covenant crew are forced to muster up all their strength to ensure their next breath isn’t their last.

Ridley Scott delivers a visually arresting, very exciting and thoroughly engaging mash-up of Alien & Prometheus. Alien: Covenant’s real ace in the hole is Michael Fassbender! Returning not once, but twice as David, and his doppelganger upgrade, Walter. He excels in both roles, but it’s the former who gets right under your skin. Via Fassbender’s android Hannibal Lector spin, we get the perfect vessel to deliver Scott’s impressively bleak musings on the future of mankind. Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup & Danny McBride give strong, solid performances and do enough to register interest, but next to Fassbender’s powerhouse turn, its weak tea. Waterston for me personally was rather pointless until the second act. McBride did surprise me a lot here, guy can act! Scott relies too much on repeating dialogue, action and music cues from his 79 original. Rather than try and create something fresh. He executes everything with maximum efficiency and the set pieces come off more enthralling & attention grabbing than they’ve any right to be. But its crystal clear Scott’s heart is firmly with David & the big existential questions. Scott has answered many of Prometheus’s questions.With a pacy hybrid of bloody exploitation slice & dice action and hardcore life-the- universe-and-everything science-fiction philosophising that resonates loudly with the gloomy here and now. This is a Summer blockbuster with brains and a vision that, even at its most predictable and downbeat, never forgets to entertain.

We all love a Seth Rogen written movie and this time it’s animated! Sausage Party has been a film that has been in the pipeline for some time. Probably this is the biggest adult animation to come out since the South Park movie. It has a massive cast list full of the best comedic actors working today. So what is Sausage Party about? Down at Shopwell’s supermarket, the food items have just one goal in life: to be picked by customers. They believe these benevolent giants will then whisk them off to paradise. All they have to do is remain pure and pristine until they’re chosen. That means Frank the sausage (Seth Rogan) is unable to consummate his relationship with alluring bun Brenda (Kristen Wiig). But Frank and his friends are about to discover the awful truth about what awaits them in the ‘great beyond’!

Sausage Party often feels like two films in one. On the superficial level it is a dumb, crass, raunchy sex comedy with talking, orgy- loving food characters to appeal to the same stoner crowd as Pineapple Express. On another level, it is an intelligent and well- observed social commentary with witty takes on current social issues related to religion, race, sexuality, and world conflict. This is the film’s strength and flaw. The worst of the film is when it is being too dumb and juvenile, with punchlines extending to nothing more than a blurted profanity, a lazy racial slur, or a sex joke that would make a 13 year old laugh. Too much of the film is like this, and a probable sequel would be much improved by focusing up and being less immature.

Filled with endless amounts of talent both voicing and behind the camera, Sausage Party always keeps you entertained. There’s never really a dull moment on screen, but as the film progresses, those moments just become overdone gags and jokes that tend to take things just one step too far. It’s not that I ever wanted realism with this type of premise, but I would have hoped for a little more subtly in certain areas.The biggest problem that I had with this movie is that while there were plenty of jokes that landed, they were few and far in between for much of the movie. There are big stretches of the film where characters are saying really shocking and raunchy things, but none of them got laughs. It would essentially feel like I was watching a hot dog and a bun just talk about sex in really grave detail, and when it wasn’t funny, it just kinda felt weird to watch. The ending will leave you flabbergasted!

The Interview has had the greatest free add campaign in the history of cinema in my opinion. With the great Sony gate continuing at the moment, we all wondered will The Interview actually get released? Well it was a little Christmas treat it came out on VOD on Christmas Eve and then a cinematic release on Christmas Day in the states. I did spend a few hours of my Christmas day watching it on VOD as a gift to myself. So what is The Interview about then? Dave Skylark (James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Seth Rogen) run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show “Skylark Tonight.” When they discover that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show, they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists. As Dave and Aaron prepare to travel to Pyongyang, their plans change when the CIA recruits them, perhaps the two least-qualified men imaginable, to assassinate Kim Jong-un (Randall Park).

James Franco and Seth Rogen work great together obviously because of all the years they have worked together and they play off each other perfectly here. Rogen is good as the straight man and Franco is good as the idiot of the duo. I think this is Franco’s best performance as the idiot in the duo.The humor in it when it works it brings some solid laughs. It does have some great one liners that I’m sure people will be using as soon as they watch the movie. While most of it is of the crude sex variety, it really works. There is some satire here revolving around politics and celebrity media which was enjoyable to a degree. The movie has good scope and it is shot well.

I feel the movie drops the ball on most of the satire though. While some moments worked, I feel the movie was juggling way too much to really be an effective lampoon when it switches between the CIA, the US, North Korea, action and spy movies, and celebrity media. It feels disjointed in its effectiveness so it lacks impact in its jokes along with all the other jokes missing the mark also. The middle act lags quite a bit making the movie drag for that section of the film. All in all The Interview is worth a watch, maybe just to fill the worlds curiosity.

Before I delve into The Amazing Spider-Man 2, I thought we would go back 10 years to my favourite Spidey movie. I was but a teenager, the prime age of 16 and Sam Raimi had thrown me into the world of Spider-Man. Personally I still think that the re-boot was to soon, but I am not a multi-million dollar film company. The superhero movie is still going strong, but I do wonder how long this trend will continue? So what was Spider-Man 2 all about? Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is an unhappy man: after two years of fighting crime as Spider-Man, his life has begun to fall apart. The girl he loves (Kirsten Dunst) is engaged to someone else, his grades are slipping, he cannot keep any of his jobs, and on top of it, the newspaper Daily Bugle is attacking him viciously, claiming that Spider-Man is a criminal. He reaches the breaking point and gives up the crime fighter’s life, once and for all. But after a failed fusion experiment, eccentric and obsessive scientist Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina) is transformed into super villain Doctor Octopus, Doc Ock for short, having four long tentacles as extra hands. Peter guesses it might just be time for Spider-Man to return, but would he act upon it?

The movie starts as it means to go on; with a very exciting pizza delivery sequence. After that the movie is a roller coaster ride; when it’s not dazzling you with adrenaline fuelled action sequences, it’s pulling at your heart strings with emotionally rich exchanges. Some action films let up when they aren’t giving the audience an action sequence; but this one doesn’t. It’s exciting all the way though. Some of the exchanges, particularly the ones between Aunt May and Peter Parker are genuinely heart felt, and because the characters are so well thought-out and appear on screen as rounded human beings; these exchanges are allowed licence to make you care for the characters. The characters in the movie are a mixed bag, with each one being made up of a number of desires and insecurities, which translate onto the screen both effectively and believably, even in spite of some of them having super powers.Technically, this movie was majestic at the time. The action sequences are truly breathtaking and seeing Spider-Man battle Doctor Octopus around a number of different locations is an unforgettable experience. The acting is also something of note, as the movie is brought to life by a brilliant ensemble. Tobey Maguire was made for the role of Peter Parker, and he really does excel with it.The role wouldn’t have been believable if it was filled by someone butch, and so Maguire makes for a believable Spider-Man.

Kirsten Dunst doesn’t have as much to do here as she did last time, but what she does do is just fine. The great Alfred Molina fills the role of Doc Ock, and like Tobey Maguire was made for the part. Simply put, he’s immense in this role; he’s intelligent looking enough to be believable as the scientist and nasty looking enough to be believable as the super-villain; thus capturing the essence of his character in both respects. As previously mentioned, Sam Raimi started life as the director of the fantastic cult hit; The Evil Dead. Despite this film being completely different and on a much bigger scale than the aforementioned; it is evident that Sam hasn’t lost his roots. Obviously giving Bruce Campbell a cameo shows this, and Sam also reminds us of The Evil Dead with several tributes including a lovely chainsaw sequence, and a workout for the ‘Raimi-cam’ on the train scenario. The Evil Dead was notable for, amongst other things, the fact that it was extremely well directed. Sam Raimi is an extremely underrated talent and really should be mentioned along with the directors that hog all the praise more often. His direction is extremely assured, and he manages to make everything about the film thrilling and as interesting as it possibly could be.Spider-Man 2 is a film that further disproves the theory that movies based on comic books are brainless and stands out as one of the very best films of the 2000’s, not to mention it being a member of the exclusive ‘sequels better than the first’ club.

Hermione just stole all of our shit. And Jay suggested that we rape her. I think the only reason he did that is because he knows he’s about two minutes away from becoming the house bitch himself

For me this is one of the most original ideas to come from Hollywood for a while. This really is an all star comedy cast and the best thing is it’s the end of the world. The concept of the film was expanded by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg from their own short film, this mind-blowing comedy gives its amazing cast an opportunity to play hilariously exaggerated versions of themselves.The apocalypse strikes during a party at James Franco’s house in this outrageously raunchy comedy! James Franco is throwing a party at his luxury home for all his A-list pals. The cream of young Hollywood is there, including Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Jay Baruchel, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Danny McBride. But while the debauchery escalates, something ominous is happening outside. The ground starts to shake. A giant hole opens up in the lawn. People are sucked into the sky by mysterious lights. And monsters are on the loose! Now the six surviving actors struggle to deal with a real apocalypse. And then Emma Watson shows up, completely trashing her good girl image!

This Is The End is easily one of the best Comedies in recent years,a brilliant Comedy that deals with the apocalypse or the end of the world but in it’s own creative and unique way. Now there have been many films that have dealt with the apocalypse or the end of the world but there hasn’t been a film that has dealt the apocalypse like This Is The End a funny,hilarious,original and wild film that has real life celebrates playing fictionalized versions of themselves in a film that is a that is a wonderful movie experience that you will never forget. Once the Action in This Is The End starts it just never stops and as you are watching the film you pulled into an insane and weird where the laughs and jokes in the film are completely none stop almost to the point of where you are laughing so hard your stomach will hurt and tears will run down your eyes and where the jokes and laughs are smart and witty. Directors and co-writers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg take the great apocalyptic genre and flip it on it’s head giving us a film that is a stoner film,a fantasy and a Horror film all in one where the film’s main characters are trying to survive by not going but trying survive each other on the inside and some of the scenes with the movie’s main characters are just down right hilarious because it balances out friendship as well as tension not knowing if the films characters are going to survive or die.

The real life actors playing themselves in this movie is ingenious showing viewers actors in the film and how in a fictional way how they would act if the end of the world did happen and it’s done in a wild and unforgettable way. The apocalypse in the film is played with laughs but is also done in a straight forward manner thanks to the actors so the film doesn’t become a Spoof or a parody but the laughs are always there. The screenplay by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg is excellent and well-written with lines of memorable dialogue that’s funny,profane and vulgar and great moments of creativity and style as well writing in hilarious scenes that reference some of the main actors films which include Pineapple Express as well as funny and over the top references to Horror classics such as The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby. The screenplay and film is so funny you will be craving for more when the film ends. If you loved Rogen and Goldberg’s other collaborations Superbad and Pineapple Express,you will love This Is The End. The violence and gore in the film are grisly and gruesome at times and will makes some viewers cringe but the violence and gore fit with the tone of the film and are done for great laughs. The ending of the film will make you laugh your head off and will surprise you with a couple of cameos that you will not see coming. It’s a wonderful ending.

So 127 Hours a film that a lot of people didn’t want to see because of one thing (I guess you know what I am talking about) Yet again Boyle was nominated for a few Oscars, but didn’t succeed this time. 127 Hours is the true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston’s (James Franco) remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon in Utah. Over the next five days Ralston examines his life and survives the elements to finally discover he has the courage and the wherewithal to extricate himself by any means necessary, scale a 65 foot wall and hike over eight miles before he can be rescued. Throughout his journey, Ralston recalls friends, lovers, family, and the two hikers he met before his accident. Will they be the last two people he ever had the chance to meet?Although undeniably amazing, the story of Aron Ralston isn’t something that strikes you as ripe for cinematic treatment. It’s more the sort of yarn suited to a half hour documentary, seeing as the action is stuck in the one place for five days. It’s a marvel then – although not overly surprising – that Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy, director and writer respectively of the phenomenal Slumdog Millionaire, have eked out a worthy story that capably fits the feature film format. They’ve developed the premise to focus more on the mentality of Ralston during his suffering. He cycled through a gamut of emotions – regret, despair, acceptance, anger, frustration, embarrassment – and how Boyle presents these is definitely left of centre, but all the more intriguing for it. The use of flashbacks and dream segments are often lazily used to convey a character’s thoughts, although they’re still a damn fine narrative tool if you use them correctly and Boyle wonderfully segues in and out of these sequences as if they were an extension of the present action.

Some of Ralston’s delirium-fuelled moments are cringe-worthy and humiliating, but Boyle doesn’t shoot them with a rose coloured lens. What you see is an authentic depiction of how this man (re)acted to the gradual realisation these were his last days on earth. When you’re on your own with no hope of surviving, why concern yourself with something trivial like how you might look if there was ever a movie made about you? Well, Ralston didn’t and Boyle respected that. Subsequently we, the audience, have been privy to something we weren’t supposed to see, and there is something very fascinating about that. Cillian Murphy was originally planned to play the doomed adventurer, and though I’m sure he would’ve been great, it’s now hard to imagine anyone other than James Franco in the role. The real Ralston had never allowed anyone outside of his own family and friends to see the camcorder footage he shot over those harrowing 127 hours, until he permitted both Franco and Boyle to watch it. This private screening must’ve been invaluable to Franco especially; his portrayal is carefully layered and well thought out. Franco slots into the “everyman” mould with ease and offers a quirky side to Ralston without ever being overtly quirky. Franco thoroughly deserved his Oscar nomination and I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of him come future awards seasons.An ordinary man placed in an extraordinary situation is compelling viewing thanks to Boyle’s masterful direction and Franco’s powerful performance.

So if you haven’t read the book, here is the movie. Ever wondered how the Wizard of Oz became the man he was? Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz. At first he thinks he’s hit the jackpot-fame and fortune are his for the taking. That all changes, however, when he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz), and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity-and even a bit of wizardry-Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well. Oz the Great & Powerful is a CGI heavy film that demands a creative eye behind the lens. After Sam Raimi’s work on big budget films like Spiderman, it seemed like an easy choice for Raimi to be the one behind Oz and for the most part, it works. The films shortcomings keep it from being really magical and memorable, like the original from 39, but Oz has enough whimsy to keep the kids entertained and the adults smiling.

The land of Oz is indeed magical, with vibrant colours around every corner, memorable spots like the poppy fields and the dark forest for us older viewers, but even in saying all that I can’t help but feel how fake it all is. This film suffers from the same troubles that plagued Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, the visuals, although great for the story, add no sense of realism to the image. I hate overly used CGI in films to the point of noticing the awkward placement of actors in front of the green screen. Both Wonderland and Oz have this same feeling. While I’m getting the negatives out of the way, I must say that what everyone is saying about Mila Kunis is true, she was miscast in this role. I think she was chosen more for her beauty and star power than her acting abilities, which is sad cause it looks like she really is trying here. The story for her character here is a sad one and the second half I think suffers a bit because the threat from her is not really present.Seeing the Kunis character go in the direction she does didn’t really effect me as much as I wanted it to. Consider that the failure of the script more so than the actors. Not enough time is really given to her for her transformation to affect the viewer.The film opens in black & white and and the transformation to colour had a smile on my face. Despite the “fakeness” of some of the scenes, Raimi does a decent job of not letting the effects overpower the film.

Raimi steers the film in the right direction, but it is James Franco’s shoulders it has to rest on. He is the type of actor that comes off as not really caring. Unfortunately I don’t know if he has enough charisma and power to command a film like this. At times it looked like he was in the role, other times it felt like he couldn’t care. Maybe it’s his acting style, I can’t really put my finger on it. Where the acting does work, marvellously and in every scene is Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams. Two polar opposites that look like they actually enjoy the characters and the movie they are in. They elevate the material a bit to make the drama more tangible. Where as without them I think the film would have fallen more flat. The drama and character choices didn’t really bring me into the story. A special mention to Zach Braff, for me he steals the show hands down as Finley the flying monkey. He really did provide the comic relief this film needed. He isn’t just the clown of the show, he really does bring soul and passion to the film.The film didn’t feel like it took chances, or tried to have complex situations for the characters. It had mapped out beats, hit them and marched on. It was nice seeing some nice Raimi touches in the final product.Oz is a good film, with weaknesses that bring it down. Raimi and two witches try their best to elevate some bland material and in the end we are left with a film that is neither great, nor memorable….just satisfactory enough.